Patents Assigned to McMillan Electric Company
  • Patent number: 11460212
    Abstract: An electric motor includes: a control board including circuitry for controlling the electric motor; a cover with an interior space; and a sensor device coupled to the motor and extending into an external environment, the sensor device being thermally isolated from the interior space of the cover and including a sensor configured to measure at least one environmental characteristic of the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: MCMILLAN ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dewain Wasson, David Lawrence Dahlen, Cory Mark Hedlund
  • Patent number: 10965176
    Abstract: An example motor includes: a rotor with a plurality of alternate polarity permanent magnets; and a stator forming a like number of poles. The stator forms one or more biasing features concentrating magnetic flux at at least one location. In some examples, the stator has an interior surface unbroken by locating features, and the stator has one or more openings that form the one or more biasing features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain Wasson, Karmen Cox
  • Patent number: 10673297
    Abstract: Electric motors and machines including such electric motors, the electric motors having improved impact resistance. Features of the electric motors minimize axial shifting of the motor shaft and other components of the electric motor, and/or minimize damage to components caused by such axial shifting occasioned by an impact force on the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas deHaas McMillan, Ronald James Boltik, Vincent Hall, Dewain Wasson
  • Patent number: 9503001
    Abstract: An HVAC control system, associated brushless direct current motor, and methods of operation are disclosed. One such control system includes a brushless direct current motor and an optically-isolated interface exposing control access to the brushless direct current motor. The system includes a first programmable controller electrically connected to the brushless direct current motor, the programmable controller configured to receive a control signal via the optically-isolated interface, and a second programmable controller providing the control signal to the optically-isolated interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain Wasson, Karmen Darrell Cox
  • Patent number: 8339006
    Abstract: An electric generator rotor having one or more permanent magnets coupled thereon. The permanent magnets provide a constant magnetic field in the rotor at all times, therein minimizing the effect of rotor residual magnetism on the start-up characteristics of the electric generator. The type and placement of the one or more permanent magnets on the rotor and/or magnetic field confinement techniques may be utilized to control spatial distribution of magnetic field within the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Vincent Hall, Stephen G. Crain
  • Publication number: 20100133942
    Abstract: An electric generator rotor having one or more permanent magnets coupled thereon. The permanent magnets provide a constant magnetic field in the rotor at all times, therein minimizing the effect of rotor residual magnetism on the start-up characteristics of the electric generator. The type and placement of the one or more permanent magnets on the rotor and/or magnetic field confinement techniques may be utilized to control spatial distribution of magnetic field within the rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: MCMILLAN ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vincent Hall, Stephen G. Crain
  • Patent number: 7563204
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly including an electric motor and a flywheel assembly. The electric motor includes a rotatable shaft, at least a portion of the shaft being tapered as the shaft extends from the electric motor to an outer end of the shaft, the outer end of the shaft being threaded to receive a securing member. The flywheel assembly, which optionally includes a pulley and/or fan, includes a bore extending through a center of the flywheel assembly, at least a portion of the bore being tapered as the bore extends from an inner periphery facing the electric motor to the outer periphery of the flywheel assembly. The shaft of the electric motor extends through the bore of the flywheel assembly such that the taper of the shaft and the bore center the flywheel-pulley assembly on the shaft and create a self-holding taper arrangement. A securing member can be secured onto the outer end of the shaft to fix the flywheel assembly axially. Methods of forming and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain L. Wasson, Vincent Hall
  • Patent number: 7538461
    Abstract: An electrical motor includes a sleeve, a rotational assembly located in the sleeve, and a shaft rotatably mounted about an axis extending longitudinally through the sleeve. The motor also includes an endcap, and a brake mechanism located about the axis of the shaft, the brake mechanism including a spring and a first bushing, wherein the spring forces the first bushing against the endcap to create a static frictional torque between the first bushing and the endcap when the motor is in an off state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas deHaas McMillan, David Lawrence Dahlen
  • Patent number: 7531938
    Abstract: A brush holder assembly for an electrical motor includes a brush box including a main body and a cover portion, the main body with a cavity and including a set of first arms extending in opposition from the main body. The cover portion includes a set of second arms extending in opposition from the cover portion, and a set of projections extending in opposition to one another from the cover portion. Each of the set of first arms and a respective one of the set of second arms define a channel therebetween sized to receive a portion of a sleeve of the electric motor. The assembly also includes a cover that is coupled to the cover portion of the brush box, a brush located in the cavity of the brush box, and a spring positioned against the brush to force the brush towards a commutator of the electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas deHaas McMillan, David Lawrence Dahlen
  • Patent number: 7486041
    Abstract: An electrically commutated motor includes a first module to measure a current in a coil of the motor, and a second module to adjust timing of commutation of the motor based on the current measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain L. Wasson, Karmen D. Cox
  • Publication number: 20080009397
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly including an electric motor and a flywheel assembly. The electric motor includes a rotatable shaft, at least a portion of the shaft being tapered as the shaft extends from the electric motor to an outer end of the shaft, the outer end of the shaft being threaded to receive a securing member. The flywheel assembly, which optionally includes a pulley and/or fan, includes a bore extending through a center of the flywheel assembly, at least a portion of the bore being tapered as the bore extends from an inner periphery facing the electric motor to the outer periphery of the flywheel assembly. The shaft of the electric motor extends through the bore of the flywheel assembly such that the taper of the shaft and the bore center the flywheel-pulley assembly on the shaft and create a self-holding taper arrangement. A securing member can be secured onto the outer end of the shaft to fix the flywheel assembly axially. Methods of forming and use are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain Wasson, Vincent Hall
  • Publication number: 20070159124
    Abstract: An electrically commutated motor includes a first module to measure a current in a coil of the motor, and a second module to adjust timing of commutation of the motor based on the current measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Applicant: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain Wasson, Karmen Cox
  • Publication number: 20070138884
    Abstract: An electrical motor includes a sleeve, a rotational assembly located in the sleeve, and a shaft rotatably mounted about an axis extending longitudinally through the sleeve. The motor also includes an endcap, and a brake mechanism located about the axis of the shaft, the brake mechanism including a spring and a first bushing, wherein the spring forces the first bushing against the endcap to create a static frictional torque between the first bushing and the endcap when the motor is in an off state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Applicant: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas McMillan, David Dahlen
  • Patent number: 7217226
    Abstract: An electric motor assembly including an electric motor and a flywheel assembly. The electric motor includes a rotatable shaft, at least a portion of the shaft being tapered as the shaft extends from the electric motor to an outer end of the shaft, the outer end of the shaft being threaded to receive a securing member. The flywheel assembly, which optionally includes a pulley and/or fan, includes a bore extending through a center of the flywheel assembly, at least a portion of the bore being tapered as the bore extends from an inner periphery facing the electric motor to the outer periphery of the flywheel assembly. The shaft of the electric motor extends through the bore of the flywheel assembly such that the taper of the shaft and the bore center the flywheel-pulley assembly on the shaft and create a self-holding taper arrangement. A securing member can be secured onto the outer end of the shaft to fix the flywheel assembly axially. Methods of forming and use are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain L. Wasson, Vincent Hall
  • Patent number: 6940238
    Abstract: A single coil, direct current permanent magnet brushless motor including a stator including six alternately-wound coils connected into a single coil having first and second ends, the oppositely-wound coils forming stator poles, and six magnets of alternating polarity coupled to a rotor and rotatably journaled in the stator. A sensor, such as a dual output Hall sensor, is used for sensing rotation of the rotor. A drive circuit, such as an H-bridge circuit, is coupled to the first and second ends of the single coil to drive the motor. The H-bridge circuit includes two high-side switches for alternately receiving signals from the Hall sensor, and two low-side switches alternately receiving signals from the Hall sensor. A high-side switching signal can be controlled by an inverted low-side switching signal. A voltage boost circuit is also provided, having capacitors to provide a boosted voltage to alternately turn on the high-side switches of the H-bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventor: Sten R. Gerfast
  • Patent number: 6936943
    Abstract: An electric motor including a sleeve with an open end, a shoulder of the sleeve positioned adjacent to the open end, and a frontplate covering the open end of the sleeve. The motor also includes a member positioned between the sleeve and the frontplate, the member being a solid, unitary piece of non-conductive material. The member can include a first portion positioned between the sleeve and the frontplate, a second portion extending to the shoulder of the sleeve, and a third portion positioned adjacent to the shoulder of the sleeve. The motor can also include another member positioned between the sleeve and a backplate of the motor, the member including a tab received in a notch formed in an opposite periphery of the sleeve to rotationally orient the backplate with respect to the sleeve. The members can reduce a leakage current through a bearing of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventor: Dewain L. Wasson
  • Publication number: 20050122074
    Abstract: A single coil, direct current permanent magnet brushless motor including a stator including six alternately-wound coils connected into a single coil having first and second ends, the oppositely-wound coils forming stator poles, and six magnets of alternating polarity coupled to a rotor and rotatably journaled in the stator. A sensor, such as a dual output Hall sensor, is used for sensing rotation of the rotor. A drive circuit, such as an H-bridge circuit, is coupled to the first and second ends of the single coil to drive the motor. The H-bridge circuit includes two high-side switches for alternately receiving signals from the Hall sensor, and two low-side switches alternately receiving signals from the Hall sensor. A high-side switching signal can be controlled by an inverted low-side switching signal. A voltage boost circuit is also provided, having capacitors to provide a boosted voltage to alternately turn on the high-side switches of the H-bridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Applicant: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventor: Sten Gerfast
  • Patent number: 6850019
    Abstract: A single coil, direct current permanent magnet brushless motor including a stator including six alternately-wound coils connected into a single coil having first and second ends, the oppositely-wound coils forming stator poles, and six magnets of alternating polarity coupled to a rotor and rotatably journaled in the stator. A sensor, such as a dual output Hall sensor, is used for sensing rotation of the rotor. A drive circuit, such as an H-bridge circuit, is coupled to the first and second ends of the single coil to drive the motor. The H-bridge circuit includes two high-side switches for alternately receiving signals from the Hall sensor, and two low-side switches alternately receiving signals from the Hall sensor. A high-side switching signal can be controlled by an inverted low-side switching signal. A voltage boost circuit is also provided, having capacitors to provide a boosted voltage to alternately turn on the high-side switches of the H-bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventor: Sten R. Gerfast
  • Publication number: 20040146397
    Abstract: A fan-flywheel-pulley assembly for use in conjunction with an electric motor. The assembly may include a pulley positioned about a central axis. The assembly may also include a flywheel coupled to the pulley and positioned about the central axis, the flywheel including an outer circumferential flywheel surface partially forming a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings. The flywheel may also include a baffle that extends circumferentially in close proximity to a cylindrical wall unit of the motor from an inner diameter to an outer diameter to limit a gap between the baffle and the cylindrical wall unit. Further, the assembly may also include a radial fan disposed within the flywheel including a plurality of blades extending at least from the flywheel inner diameter to the outer diameter each opening is positioned between each adjacent fan blade. The pulley, the flywheel, and the radial fan may be integrally formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain L. Wasson, William B. Sinykin
  • Patent number: 6695581
    Abstract: A fan-flywheel-pulley assembly for use in conjunction with an electric motor. The assembly may include a pulley positioned about a central axis. The assembly may also include a flywheel coupled to the pulley and positioned about the central axis, the flywheel including an outer circumferential flywheel surface partially forming a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings. The flywheel may also include a baffle that extends circumferentially in close proximity to a cylindrical wall unit of the motor from an inner diameter to an outer diameter to limit a gap between the baffle and the cylindrical wall unit. Further, the assembly may also include a radial fan disposed within the flywheel including a plurality of blades extending at least from the flywheel inner diameter to the outer diameter each opening is positioned between each adjacent fan blade. The pulley, the flywheel, and the radial fan may be integrally formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: McMillan Electric Company
    Inventors: Dewain L. Wasson, William B. Sinykin